Valve box, manhole, and the like



Oct. 12 1926.

- L. GSCHWIND VALVE BQX, MANHOLE, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 18, 1926 1 Z [N VENfOI? Zea/7 JMW/fid KWiai Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES LEON GSCHWIND, OF YOUNGSTOYVN, OHIO.

VALVE BOX, MANHOLE, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 18, 1926. Serial No. 82,034.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved unit for valve bOkcs, manholes and the like which is well adapted for production in large sizes and one in 6 which the parts can be readily formed or cast and assembled.

A further object is to provide a valve boX unit which can be handled in sections and quickly assembled at the point of installation.

Objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of a valve box or manhole embodying the features of my invention, the same being partially broken away for convenience in illustration Fig. 2 is a horizontal view on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the sections.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side 3 elevation.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary inside perspective view showing structural details.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the manhole or valve box illustrated comprises a base unit 1 and superimposed units 2, 3 and 4. My improvements relate particularly to the base unit which is formed of a plurality of seg mental sections 5, the sections being complementary and, in the embodiment illustrated, interchangeable.

Each section has, at one vertical edge, an outwardly ofl'set flange 6 adapted to receive the edge 7 of the adjacent section. Lugs 8, in the form of bosses on the outwardly offset flanges, project beyond the flanges and overlap the bosses 9 on the adjacent edge. Screws 10 are arranged, preferably from the inside, through these bosses to engage the lugs to secure the parts together.

The sections are preferably provided with inwardly projecting flanges 11 which have upwardly offset projecting lugs 12 at one end overlapping the bosses 13 on the bottom flange of the meeting section. Screws Ll arranged through the flanges to engage these lugs further secure the parts together. The bottom flanges are provided with reinforcing fillets 15.

Each section is provided with a conduit opening 16 surrounded by an internal rib 17 to reinforce the same, the closure plates 18 being removably secured over these openings, the plates being preferably provided with pins 19 which, in the preferred method of manufacture, are cast into the sections, the plates being laid into the mold with the pins projecting therefrom. The conduit openings are preferably of different sizes as shown, there being two sizes in the sections illustrated.

In assembling the sections may be arranged. to bring these openings as desired for the particular installation. The plates may be knocked off to receive the conduit, as 20.

By forming the manhole unit in sections, the same may be easily molded and conveniently handled and stored and readily set up at the point of installation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A manhole or valve boX unit comprising segmental complementary interchangeable sections having outwardly offset flanges at one edge receiving the edges of adjacent sections and attaching lugs projecting beyond said offset flanges, the coacting edges of the adjacent sections having bosses underlying said lugs, said sections also having inturned complementary bottom flanges, said bottom flanges'having upwardly offset projecting lugs at one end thereof overlapping the ends of the bottom flanges of the adjacent sections, and screws disposed through said attaching lugs of said sections.

2. A manhole or valve box unit comprising segmental complementary interchangeable sections having outwardly offset flanges at one edge receiving the edges of adjacent sections and attaching lugs projecting beyond said offset flanges, the coat-ting edges of the adjacent sections having bosses underlying said lugs, and screws disposed through said attaching lugs of said sections.

3. A manhole or valve box unit compris ing segmental complementary sections having outwardly offset flanges at one edge receiving the edges of adjacent sections, and

inturned bottom flanges, said bottom flanges having offset lugs at one end overlapping the ends of the bottom flanges of the adjacent sections, certain of said sections having conduit openings therein provided with removable closure plates.

l. A manhole or valve box unit comprising segmental complementary sections having outwardly offset flanges at one edge receiving the edges of adjacent sections, and inturned bottom flanges, said bottom flanges having oflset lugs at one end overlapping the ends of the bottom flanges of the adjacent sections.

5. A manhole or valve box unit comprising segmental complementary sections having integral inwardly projectin bottom flanges, said sections having 0 set joint flanges at one edge and certain of said sections having conduit openings therein provided with removable closure plates.

6. A manhole or valve box unit comprising segmental complementary sections having conduit openings therein provided with removable closure plates and integral inwardly projecting bottom flanges, said sections and their bottom flanges having offset joint members overlapping the edges of adjacent sections.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

